Multiple position reclining chair



April 3, 1962 A. LORENZ MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 29, 1959 INVENTOR A N TON L ORENZ ATTORN YS April 3, 1962 A. LORENZ MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Oct. 29, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ ATTORNEYS I clined or tilted back position.

3,il28,l95 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 lice 3,028,195 MULTIPLE POSITEON RECLINING CHAIR Anton Lorenz, Ocean Ridge, Boynton Beach, Fla.

' Filed Oct. 29, 15 59, SerJ'No'. 849,472

16 Claims. (1. 297-89) clined position with the leg-rest appropriately elevated for accommodating the chair occupant in a fully reclined or complete relaxation attitude.

Of recent times there has been developed a reclining chair including a body supporting uni-t having aunitary seat and back-rest and a coordinated leg -rest which has come to be known as a multiple-position chair and is characterized in'that at least two discrete chair positions may be realized. The first is an intermediate semi-reclined or tilted back position wherein the body-supporting unit is tilted at an angle relative to the horizontal and the leg-rest is'elevated such as to accommodate the chair occupant in an attitude appropriate for television viewing, reading, sewing and the like; and the second is a fully reclined or completely tilted back position wherein the body-supporting unit is tilted at an angle relative to the horizontal and the leg-rest is'elevated such that the chair occupant is accommodated in an attitude appropriate for complete relaxation. in the intermediate semi-reclined or tilted position it is desirable that the leg-rest be sufticiently elevated to appropriately support the legs of the chair occupant, with the leg-rest preferably being at a first leg-supporting position close to, or slightly below the horizontal and extending forwardly of the seat. Further in the fully reclined or complete relaxation position, it is desirable that the leg-rest remain close to the first leg-supporting position and substantially horizontal. In the event that the leg-rest is broughtto a position appreciably over the horizontal, the requisite orientation for the leg restin relation to the seat for optimum comfort would be lost. i

Broadly, it is an object of the present invent-ion to provide improved reclining chairs of the multiple po'sition invention to provide a multiple-positiontype of reclining chairwherein the leg-rest is brought to an elevated and substantially horizontal leg supporting'position as the chair moves into an intermediate tilted position and remains in a substantiallyhorizontal elevated leg-supporting position andin the requisite orientation relative'to the body-supporting unit as the latter moves to the fullyre- In accordancewith an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features of the present invention, there is pro- ,vided areclining chair which comprises a support, a body-supporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest movably mounted on the support for pivotal movement through a first phase from an initial position to an inermediate position and through a second phase from the intermediate position to arfinal position'carrier means pivotally and movably mounted onthe support, a leg-rest and a leg-rest control linkage operativcly connected to the carrier means, to the body-supporting unit'and to the legrest formoving the leg-restto a first elevated leg-supporting position in response to the first phase of movement. The carrier meansis arranged to remain stationary relative to the support during the first phase of movement and is turned and ,displacedrelative to the support during the second phase of movement such that the leg-rest moves into a second elevated leg-supporting position as the bodysupporting unit "moves into the final position. Advantageously, the leg-rest", is optimally positioned relative to the body-supporting unit and to the support both inthe intermediate and final positions for the chair;

The above brief description as well as further objects,

features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of several illustrated embodiments constructed according to the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1' is an elevational view, with parts broken away and sectioned, of an improved reclining chair embodying features of the present invention, the chair being shown in its initial upright or sitting position;

F'IG. '2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in a. partially reclined or intermediate tilted posi tion;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in the fully reclined or completely tilted position;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view with parts broken away and sectioned, of a further embodiment of improved reclining chairs demonstrating features of the present invention, the chair being shown in its initial upright or sitting position;

FIG. 5 is .a view similar to H6. 4, but showing the chair in the partially reclined or intermediate tilted position; and,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the chair in the fully reclined or completely tilted position.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an improved reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The chair 1d is or" the two-positioned type, being capable of movement into a semi-reclined or intermediate tilted position, with the leg-rest elevated, as shown in FIG. 2.,and further being capable of movement intoa fully reclined or complete relaxation position, with the leg-rest elevated, as shown in FIG. 3. The chair includes'a support 12 having opposite side walls 14 interconnected by appropriate cross braces. Pivotally' or movably mounted on the support 12 is a body-supporting unit '16 which includes a unitary seat 13 and-back-rest 20. 'The body-supporting unit 16, in the region of the junction of the seat 18 and the back-rest 20 is provided with a depending integral extension 22 which has a main pivotal :mount 24 to-the side walls 14 of the support 12 serving as a means for mounting the body-supportingunit ldfor rearward turning or rocking movement fromxthe'upright or sitting position of FIG.

1 to the successive positions illustrated in FIGS. land 3.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 18 of the'body-supporting' unit 16 is a leg-rest 26 whichis movable from a stored position, as shown in FIG. 1, into first and second elevated leg-supporting positions shown successively in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the first elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 2;'the "leg- 'rest 26 is slightly below the horizontal, that is, with its upper or inner end"26a disposed substantially at the or lower end 26b disposed'slightly below the upper end 26a. In the second elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 3, the upper or inner end 26a of the leg-rest remain substantially at the same level as the forward end of the seat 18 (the body-supporting unit 16 having been further tilted back about the main pivot 24 as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3) while the lower or outer end 26b of the leg-rest 26 is substantially at the same level, such that the leg-rest is still substantially horizontal.

Extending below the seat is a carrier member 28 which is mounted on the support 12 for both turning movement about a fixed pivot and translating movement relative to such pivot. Specifically, a pin 36 is fixed to the side wall 14 of the support 12 at a point forwardly of the main pivot 24 and is disposed within a substantially vertically extending slot 32 formed in the rearward end of the carrier member 28. The pin and slot interconnection 3t), 32 serves during the second movement phase to pivotally and movably mount the carrier member on the support such that the carrier member 28 may turn about the pivot 30 and translate relative thereto, for purposes which will be subsequently described.

Provision is made for establishing a stationary position for the carrier member 28 during the first movement phase which takes the form of a stop 34 fixed to the support 12 and engaging the undersurface of the carrier member of link 28. At its forward end, the carrier member 28 is formed with an integral stop 36 against which the seat 18 of the body-supporting unit 16 bears in the upright or sitting position of the chair shown in FIG. 1. For all intents and purposes, during the first motion phase the carrier member 28 may be considered to be unitary with the support 12 in that the carrier member remains stationary relative thereto during such first movement phase, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 and 2.

A leg-rest control linkage, generally designated by the reference numeral 38, is pivotally suspended from the carrier member 28, operatively connected to the leg-rest 26 and operable from the body-supporting unit to move the leg-rest 26 to the successive elevated leg-supporting positions. The leg-rest control linkage 33 includes a first pair of links 40, 42 having a pivotal connection 44 at their adjacent ends, a second pair of links 46, 48 having a pivotal connection 50 at their adjacent ends, and a third pair of links 52, 54 having a pivotal connection 55 at their adjacent ends. The link 40 of the first link pair 40, 42 is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the carrier member 28 at a pivotal connection or mount 56, while the second link 42 crosses over the link 46 and has a pivotal connection 58 thereto. The forward end of the link 42, has a pivotal connection 66 to the adjacent end of the link 52 of the third link pair 52, 54. The link 46 of the second link pair 46, 48 has a pivotal connection or mount 62 on the carrier member 28 at a point forwardly of the pivotal mount 56, with the link 48 thereof crossing over the link 52 of the third link pair 52, 54 and having a pivotal connection 62 thereto. The forward end of the link 48 of the second link pair 46, 48 has a pivotal connection 64 to the leg-rest 26, while the forward end of the link 54 of the second link pair has a pivotal connection 66 to the leg-rest at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 64. The legrest control linkage 38 will be recognized as being of the generally known lazy-tong type and may be readily replaced by other known leg-rest mounting linkages.

Coupling means are pivotally connected to the leg-rest control linkage 38 and to the body-supporting unit 16 for moving the leg-rest 26 to a first elevated and substantially horizontal leg-supporting position in response to the first phase of the chair movement. The coupling means takes the form of a coupling link 68 which has a pivotal connection 76 at its rearward end to the depending extension 22 and a pivotal connection 72 at its forward end to the link 46 of the first link pair at a point spaced below the pivotal mount 56. Accordingly, in response to the counterclockwise turning of the extension 22 about the main pivot24 incident to the rearward tilting movement of the body-supporting unit 16, a forward thrust is imparted via the coupling link 68 to the leg-rest control linkage 33 which swings the respective links thereof upwardly and forwardly for the leg-rest elevating function.

Blocking means are operative to block the leg-rest control linkage when the body-supporting unit 16 moves into the intermediate position shown in FIG. 2. In this illustrative embodiment, the blocking means takes the form of a stop 74 fixed to the carrier member 28 forwardly of the link 40 of the first link pair 40, 42 and in position to abut the link 45) at the end of the first movement phase and when the body-supporting unit is in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2. When the leg-rest control or mounting linkage 38 is effectively blocked, the leg-rest 26 and the control linkage 38 become a unitary assembly with the carrier member 28 for the second movement phase.

Actuating means are arranged to displace the carrier member 28 upwardly such that the pin 39 is journaled at the lower end of the slot 32 during the second movement phase and for turning the cam'er member 28 about the pin 36 as a pivotal mount during the second movement phase such that the leg-rest 26 moves relative to the seat 18 into a second elevated and substantially horizontal leg-supporting position as the body-supporting unit 16 moves into its final reclined position shown in FIG. 3. In this illustrative embodiment, the actuating means includes an actuating link 76 which has a pivotal connection 78 at its upper end to the seat 18 of the bodysupporting unit 16 and a lost motion connection to the carrier member 28 which is effective at the end of the first phase to pivotally connect the actuating link 76 to the carrier member 28 for the purpose of lifting the same. The lost motion connection takes the form of an elongated slot 80 formed in the link 76 which receives a pin 82 fixed to the carrier member 28 with the pin.82 normally being disposed adjacent the upper end of the slot 8% of the lost motion means. It may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 and 2 that there will be lost motion travel and no coupling of movement from the body-supporting unit 16 to the carrier member 28 until the lower end of the slot 80 abuts the pin 82; and thereafter during the second movement phase, the pin 82 serves as an effective pivotal connection between the actuating link 76 and the carrier member 28.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention, a typical sequence of operations will now be described:

When the chair occupant is seated in the body-supporting unit '16 and urges his weight rearwardly, the bodysupporting unit turns around the main pivot 24 and the leg-rest mounting or control linkage 38 is actuated from the coupling link 68, it being recalled that the carrier member 28 remains in a stationary position relative to the support. No coupling is provided via the actuating link 76 to the carrier member 28 from the body-supporting unit 16 in that-there is lost motion between the actuating link 76 and the carrier member 28 during the first movement phase. The end of the first movement phase is established when the leg-rest control linkage 38 is blocked relative to the carrier member which occurs when the link 40 thereof abuts the stop 74 fixed to the carrier member 28. At the end of the first movement phase and as seen in FIG. 2, the leg-rest 26 is appropriately elevated to a position substantially horizontal and at the level of the forward end of the seat 18 to meet comfort requlrements.

Further application of pressure by the chair occupant causes the carrier member 28 to move relative to the support 12,with a lifting and turning force being applied to the carrier member 28 from the actuating link '76 conspasms nectcd to the body-supporting unit 16 (the lost motion travel between the actuating link and the carrier member having been completed at the end of the first movement phase). Although the leg-rest control or mounting linkage is blocked, the coupling link 68 turns about its pivotal connection 79 relative to the depending extension of the body-supporting unit. During such second movement phase, there is a combined turning and lifting movement of the carrier member 28, the turning movement being brought about by the coupling link 68 and the lifting movement being brought about by the actuating link 76. The combined turning and lifting movement is elfective to displace the carrier member 28 and to establish the required second elevated leg-supporting position for the leg-rest, shown in FIG. 3, wherein the leg-rest 26 is disposed substantially horizontally and is appropriately oriented relative to the forward end of the seat 18. In the absence of the combined turning and lifting movements for the carrier member, it is not unlikely that the leg-rest 26 would be over elevated in relation to the bodysupporting unit 16, such that the optimum comfort requirements for the chair occupant are not realized; or in 1 the intermediate tilted position, it might be necessary'to compromise in the orientation of the leg-rest 26 relative to the body supporting unit 16 such that the over elevation thereof would not result in the final reclined position. The final reclined position for the chair is established in this illustrative embodiment by properly positioning the stop 34 such that the coupling link 68 abuts the stop, as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4 to 6, there is shown a further reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 110. The chair includes a support 112 having opposite side walls 114 interconnected by appropriate cross braces. Pivotally or movably mounted on the support 112 is a body-supporting. unit 116 which includes a unitary seat 117 and back-rest 120. The bodysupporting unit 1 16 in the region of the junction of the seat 118 and the back-rest 1:20 is provided with a depending integral extension 122 which has a main pivotal mount 124 to' the side wall 114 of the support 1 12serving as a means for mounting the body-supporting unit 116 for rear-ward turning or rocking movement from the upright or sitting position of FIG. 4 to the successive positions illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 118 of the body-supporting unit 116 is a leg-rest 126 which is movable from a stored position, as shown in FIG. 4, into first andsecond elevated leg-supporting positions shown successively in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the'first elevated legsupporting position shown in PEG. 5, the leg-rest 126 is slightly below the horizontal, that is, with its. upper or inner end 126a disposed substantially at the same leve as the forward end of the seat 1 18 and its outer or-lower end 1261) disposed slightly below the upper end 1260.

In the second elevated legssupporting position shown in FIG. 6, with the body-supporting unit 116 completely tilted back, the upper or inner end 126a of the leg-rest 126 remain substantially at the same level as the for-ward end of the. seat 118, while the lower or outer. end 126]; of the leg-rest 126 is substantially at the same level such that the leg-rest is still substantially horizontal.

Extending below the seat, is a carrier member 128 which is mounted on the support 112 for both turning movement about a fixed pivot and translating movement relative to such pivot. Specifically, a. pin 13% is fixed to the side wall 114. of the support 112 at a point forwardly of the main pivot124- and isdisposed within a substantially vertically extending slot 132 formed in the rearment phase to pivotally and movably-mount the carrier member on the support such that the, carrier member 128 the intermediate position shown in FIG. 5. In this illus- .trative embodiment, the blocking means takes the form cfa stop 174 fixed to the carriermember 12$ forwardly ofthe link 140 of-the first link pair 140 and 142and in position to abut thesame at the end of the'first move- -mentphase and when the body-supporting unit 116 is in thejntermediate tilted position of FIG. 5.

, leg-rest control or mounting linkage 138 is effectively blocked, -the leg rest -126and the control linkage 138 be- 13 may turn about the pivot and translate relative there- [9.

Provision is made for establishing a stationary position for the carrier member 1218 during the first movement phase, which takes the form of a step 13 fixed to the support 112 and engaging the undersurface of the carrier member of the link 128. At its forward end the carrier member 12'8 is formed with an integral stop 136 against which the seat 118 of the body-supporting unit 116 bears in the upright or sitting position of the chair shown in FIG. 4.

A leg-rest control linkage, generally designated by the reference numeral 138, is pivotally suspended from the carrier member 128, .operatively connected to the leg-rest 1236 and is operable from the body-supporting unit 116 to move the leg-rest to the successive elevated leg-supporting positions. The leg-restcontrol linkage 133 includes a first pairof links 141), 142 having a pivotal connection 144 at their adjacent ends, a second pair of links 146, 148 having a pivotal connection 150 at their adjacent ends, and a third pair of links 152, 154 having a pivotal connection 155 at their adjacent ends. The link 140 of the first link pair 1,4,0, 14 2 is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the carrier member 128 at a pivotal connection or mount 156, while the second link 142 crosses over the link 146and has a pivotal connection 153 thereto. The forward end of the link 142 has a pivotal connection to;the adjacent end of the link 152 of the third link pair. The link 146 of the second link pair ,146, 143 has a pivotal connectionor mGunt162 on the carrier member 128 at apoint forwardly of the pivotal mount 156, with the link slflbthereof crossing over the link 152 of the third link pair and having a pivotal connection 162 thereto. The forward end of the link 3148 .has a pivotal connection 164 to the leg-rest while the forward end of the link 154 of the second link pair has a pivotal connection 166m the leg-rest at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 1 64. The leg-rest control linkage .138 will be recognized as being of the generally known lazy-tong type-and may be readily replaced by other known legrest mounting linkages.

Coupling means are pivotally connected to the leg-rest control linkage 138 and to the body-supporting unit for moving'theleg-rcst to a first elevated and substantially horizontalleg supporting position in response to the first phase of the chair movement. The coupling means takes the form of a coupling link 168 which has a pivotal connection 170 at its rearward end to the depending extension 12?. and apivotal connection 172 at its forward end to-thc link14t) of the first link pair at a point, spaced below, the pivotal mount 156. Accordingly, in response ;to,the couunterclockwise turning of the extension 122 aboutthe main pivot 124 incident to the rearward tilting movement of the body-supporting unit 116, a forward thrust is imparted via the coupling link -168 to the leg- -l3 locking' means are operative to block the leg-rest control linkagewhen the bodysupporting unit 116 moves into When the come a unitary assembly with the carrier member 128 for -;the second movement phase.

r ctuating means are arranged to displace orlift the I ;-ga1rier member 128 upwardly such that the pin 130 is journaled at t-helower end of theslot 132v during the second movement phase and. for turning the carrier memher 128 about the pin 13% as a pivotal mount during the second movement phase such that the leg-rest 126 moves relative to the seat 118 into a second elevated and substantially horizontal leg-supporting position as the bodysupporting unit moves into its final reclined position shown in FIG. 5. In this illustrative embodiment, the actuating means includes an actuating arm 176 which projects forwardly from the extension 122' below the rearward end of the carrier member 128 and which is engaged with the carrier member 128 at the end of the first phase for the purpose of lifting or displacing the same. As may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 4

and 5 there will be lost motion travel and no coupling of movement from the body-supporting unit 116 to the carrier member 128 until the actuating arm 176 abuts the carrier member 128 and thereafter during the second movement phase the actuating arm serves as an operative connection between the extension 122 and the carrier member 128.

Since the operation of this embodiment of the invention is substantially identical to the previous embodiment the description of the operation is dispensed with in the interests of brevity. It will be appreciated however, that in accordance with both forms of the invention provision is made for effectively realizing at least two positions with the leg-rest optimally oriented relative to the body-supporting unit in both positions.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What I claim is:

l. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said body-supporting unit on said support for movement through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, carrier means, means operatively connected to said carrier means for pivotally and displaceably mounting said carrier means on said support, a legrest and a control linkage operatively connected to said carrier means, to said body-supporting unit and to said legrest for moving said leg-rest to a first elevated leg-supporting position in response to said first phase of movement, said carrier means remaining relatively stationary during said first phase of movement and pivoting and displacing relative to said support during said second phase of movement such that said leg-rest moves into a second elevated leg-supporting position as said body-supporting unit moves into said final position.

2. A reclining chair comprising a support, a body-supporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said body-supporting unit on said support for movement through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said inter-mediate position to a final position, carrier means, means operatively connected to said carrier means for pivotally and displaceably mounting said carrier means on said support, a leg-rest, a control linkage operatively connected to said carrier means, to said body-supporting unit and to said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest to a first elevated legsupporting position in response to said first phase of movement, and blocking means operative to block said control linkage when said body-supporting unit moves into said intermediate position, said carrier means remaining relatively stationary during said first phase of movement and pivoting and displacing relative to said support during said second phase of movement such that said leg-rest moves into a second elevated leg-supporting position as said body-supporting unit moves into said final position.

3. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said bodysupporting unit on said support for pivotal movement through a first phase from an initial'position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, a carrier member, pin and slot means pivotally and movably mounting said carrier member on said support, a leg-rest, a control linkage operatively connected tosaid carrier member, to said body-supporting unit and to said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest to a first elevated leg-supporting position in response to said first phase of movement, and means operative to block said control linkage when said bodysupporting unit moves into said intermediate position, said carrier member remaining relatively stationary during said first phase of movement and pivoting and moving relative to said support during said second phase of said movement such that said leg-rest moves into a second elevated leg-supporting position as said body-supporting unit moves into said final position.

4. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means mounting said unit on said support for rearward tilt ng movement, a carrier member, means operatively connected to said carrier member and said support and mounting said carrier member for turning movement relative to said support and for displacement relative to said support, a leg-rest, and a leg-rest control linkage carrying said leg-rest and mounted on saidcarrier member, said linkage including a plurality of links movable relative to each other during an initial phase of rearward movement of said unit with said carrier member remaining stationary in relation to said support to move said legrest to an initial phase of movement, said carrier member turning and displacing relative to said support during further rearward movement of said unit to lift the elevated leg-rest and said linkage with said unit, said leg-rest and linkage remaining substantially stationary relative to each other during said further rearward movement, the displacement of said carrier member during said further rearward movement being eifective to adjust the position of said elevated leg-rest relative to said unit.

5. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means mounting said unit on said support for rearward tilting movement, a carrier member, means operatively connected to said carrier member and said support and mounting said carrier member for turning movement relative to said support and for displacement relative to said support, a leg-rest, a leg-rest control linkage carrying said leg-rest and mounted on said carrier member, said linkage including a plurality of links movable relative to each other during an initial phase of rearward movement of said unit with said carrier member remaining stationary in relation to said support to move said legrest to an initial elevated leg-supporting position in response to said initial phase of movement, said carrier member turning and displacing relative to said support during further rearward movement of said unit to lift the elevated leg-rest and said linkage with said unit, said leg-rest and linkage remaining substantially stationary relative to each other during said further rearward movement, the displacement of said carrier member during said further rearward movement being efiective to adjust the position of said elevated leg-rest relative to said unit, and blocking means engaging at least one link of said linkage to block the movement of said links after said initial phase of rearward movement of said unit.

6. A reclining chair comprising a support, a body-supporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and pivotally mounting said body-supporting unit on said support for movement through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, a carrier member, a pin and slot conneetion between said carrier member and said support pivotally and movably mounting said carrier member on said support, the pin of said pin and slot connection being disposed at one end of the slot during said first phase ofmove'mentpstop means engaging said carrier member andestablishing a stationary position for said carrier member during said first phase of movement, a-leg-rest, a control linkage operatively connected to said carrier member, to said bodysupporting unit and to saidleg-re'st for moving said leg rest to a first elevated leg-supporting position in response to said first phase of movement, and blocking means operative to block said control linkage when said body'- supporting unit moves into said intermediate position, said 'pin and slot connection providing for a lost motion travel during said second phase of movement and said carrier member turning about said pin during said second phase of movement such that said leg-rest'rnoves relative to said seat into a second elevated leg-supporting position as said body-supporting unit moves into said final position, the pin of said pin and slot connection being disposed at the other end of the slot at the end of said second phase of movement. I

7. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means 'operatively connected to and pivotally mounting said body-supporting unit on said support for movement through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, a carrier member, a pin and slot connection between said carrier member and said support pivotally and movably mounting said carrier member on'said support, the pin of said pin and slot connection being disposed at one end of the slot during said first phase of movement, a leg-rest, a control linkage operatively connected to said carrier member, to said body-supporting unit and to said legrest for moving said leg-rest to a first elevated leg-supporting position in response to said first phase of movement, and blocking means operative to block said control linkage when said body-supporting unit moves into said intermediate position, said pin and slot connection providing for a lost motion travel during said second phase of movement and said carrier member turning about said pin during said second phase of movement such that said leg-rest moves relative to said seat into a second elevated leg-supporting position as said body-supporting unit moves into said final position.

8. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and pivotally mounting said body-supporting unit on said support for movement through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, a carrier member, a pin and slot connection between said carrier member and said support, pivotally and movably mounting said carrier member on said support, the pin of said pin and slot connection being disposed at one end of the slot during said first phase of movement, a leg-rest, a control linkage operatively connected to said carrier member, to said body-supporting unit and to said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest to a first elevated leg-supporting position in response to said first phase of movement, said pin and slot connection providing for a lost motion travel during said second phase of movement and said carrier member turning about said pin during said second phase of movement such that said leg-rest moves relative to said seat into a second elevated leg-supporting position as said bodysupporting unit moves into said final position, the pin of said pin and slot connection being disposed at the other end of the slot at the end of said second movement phase.

9. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid-seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said body-supporting unit on said support for pivotal movement through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, a carrier member, a pin on said support disposed within a vertically extending slot formed in said carrier member and pivotally and movably mounting said carrier member on said support, 11' said pin being disposed at the upper end of the slot during said first phase of movement, stop means engaging said carrier member and establishing a stationary position for said carrier member during said first phase of movement, a leg-rest, a control linkage operatively connected to said 15 carrier member, to said body-supporting unit and to said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest to a first elevated and substantially horizontal leg-supporting position in response to said first phase of movement, blocking means operative to block said control linkage when said body-supporting unit moves into said intermediate position, and-means for moving said carrier member upwardly relative to said support to effect a lost motion travel of said pin and slot during said second phase ofmov'em'ent and for turn- 7 ing said carrier member about said pm during saidsecond phase of movement such that said leg-rest moves relative to said seat into a second elevated and substantially horizontal leg-supporting position as'said body s'up'p'orting unit moves into said 'final position.

10. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and'back-r'est, means operatively connectedto and mounting saidbody supporting unit on "said support for pivotal movement through a first phase from an initial position to anintermediate position and through a second phase fror'n' 'sai'd intermediate position to a finalposition, a carrier member, a pin'on said'support' disposed within aslot formed in said'ca'rrier member and pivotally and'movably mountingsaid carrier member'o'n said support, said pin being disposedat "one end of the slot during'said first phase of movement, stop 40 means engaging said carrier member and establishing a stationary position for said'carriermernber-during said first phase ofmovement, a leg-rest, a control linkage operatively connected to said carrier member, to said bodysupporting unit and to said leg-rest for moving Saidlegrest to a first elevated andsubstantially horizontal legsupporting position in response to said first phase of movement, blocking means operative to block said control linkage when said body-supporting unit moves intosaid intermediate position, and actuating means for efiecting relative movement betweensaid pin and slot during'said "second phase of-movement and for turning said carrier member about said pindu ring saidsecond phase of move- 'ment such thatsaidleg-rest moves relative to saidseat into a second elevated andsubstantially horizontal "legsupporting position as said body supporting-unit moves into said final position.

, 11. 'A reclining chair accordingto claim 10 wherein saidactua-ting means includes an actuating link pivotal'ly connected to said body-supporting unit and having a 0 lost motion connection to said' carrier memben-said lo'st motion connection being effective at theend of said first phase to pivotally connect said actuating link to said carrier member.

12. A reclining chair according to claim 10 wherein 5 said body-supporting unit includes a depending extension and said actuating means includes an abutment member rigid with said extension and engaging said carrier member at the end of said first phase.

13. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said body-supporo ing unit on said support for pivotal movement about a main pivot through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, a depending rigid extension on said body-supporting unit extending below said main pivot, a carrier member, a pin on said support forwardly of said main pivot and disposed within a vertically extending slot formed in said carrier member for pivotally and movably mounting said carrier member on said support, said pin being disposed at the upper end of the slot during said first phase of movement, stop means engaging said carrier member and establishing a stationary position for said carrier member during said first phase of movement, a leg-rest, a leg-rest control linkage pi votally suspended from said carrier member and operatively connected to said leg-rest, coupling means pivotally connected to said control linkage and to said extension for moving said leg-rest to a first elevated and substantially horizontal leg-supporting position in response to said first phase of movement, blocking means operative to block said control linkage when said bodysupporting unit moves into said intermediate position, and actuating means for eifective relative movement between said pin and slot during said second phase of movement such that said pin is at the lower end of said slot at the end of said second phase of movement and for turning said carrier member about said pin during said second phase of movement such that said leg-rest moves relative to said seat into a second elevated and substantially horizontal leg-supporting position as said 'bodysupporting unit moves into said final position, said actuating means including an actuating member operatively connected to said body-supporting unit and operatively engaging said carrier member at the end of said first phase of movement, said actuating member cooperating with said coupling means for turning and lifting said carrier member during said second phase of movement.

14. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said -body-supporting unit on said support for pivotal movement about a main pivot through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, a depending rigid extension on said body-supporting unit extending below said main pivot, a carrier member, a pin on said support forwardly of said main pivot and disposed within a vertically extending slot formed in said carrier member for pivotally and movably mounting said carrier member on said support, said pin being disposed at the upper end of the slot during said first phase of movement, stop means engaging said carrier member and establishing a stationary position for said carrier member during said first phase of movement, a leg-rest, a leg-rest control linkage pivotally suspended from said carrier memher and operatively connected to said leg-rest, coupling means pivotally connected to said control linkage and to said extension for moving said leg-rest to a first elevated and substantially horizontal leg-supporting position in response to said first phase of movement, blocking means operative to block said control linkage when said bodysupporting unit moves into said intermediate position, and actuating means for effecting relative movement between said pin and slot during said second phase of movement such that said pin its at the lower end of said slot at the end of said second phase of movement and for turning said carrier member about said pin during said second phase of movement such that said leg-rest moves relative to said seat into a second elevated and substantially horizontal leg-supporting position as said bodysupporting unit moves into said final position, said actuating means including an actuating member operatively connected to said body-supporting unit and operatively engaging said carrier member at the end of said first phase of movement, said actuating member cooperating with said coupling means for turning and lifting said carrier member during said second phase of movement.

15. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit inciuding a rigid seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said body-supporting unit on said support for movement through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, carrier means, means operatively connected to said carrier means and pivotally and displaceably mounting said carrier means on said support, a leg-rest, a control linkage operatively connected to said carrier means, to said body-supporting unit and to said leg-rest for moving said 1eg-rest to a first elevated legsupporting position in response to said first phase of said movement, said carrier means remaining relatively stationary during said first phase of movement, and means efiective to pivot and displace said carrier means relative to said support during said second phase of movement such that said leg-rest moves into a second elevated legsupporting position as said body-supporting unit moves into said final position.

16. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including a rigid seat and back-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said body-supporting unit on said support for movement through a first phase from an initial position to an intermediate position and through a second phase from said intermediate position to a final position, a carrier member, pin and slot means pivotally and movably mounting said carrier memher on said support, a leg-rest, and a control linkage operatively connected to said carrier member, to said body-supporting unit and to said leg-rest for moving said leg-rest to a first elevated leg-supporting position in response to said first phase of reclining movement, said carrier member remaining relatively stationary during said first phase of movement and pivoting about the pin of said pin and slot means and moving relative to said support during said second phase of movement such that said leg-rest moves into a second elevated leg-supporting position as said body-supporting unit moves into said final position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,433,521 Lorenz Dec. 30, 1947 2,615,497 Luckhardt Oct. 28, 1952 2,746,520 Ducrot May 22, 1956 2,918,109 Schliephacke Dec. 22, 1959 2,918,113 Lorenz Dec. 22, 1959 

